FolderShare: Peer2Peer File Synchronization
March 8th, 2006
When I worked for Novell, I used iFolder to keep my laptop and desktop files in sync. iFolder uses a central server model where it keeps all of your files and then the client, that runs on your computer, continually sends changes to this server. On other machines, the client is continually polling the server for changes so all of your files stay synchronized between multiple machines. Ever since I left Novell, I’ve been needing something to do this.
Enter FolderShare. This is a product that was bought by Microsoft last Fall and made part of it’s Windows Live services. FolderShare works similar to iFolder, but instead of having a central server, it is Peer2Peer. Meaning, that when I change files on my PowerBook at work, it sends notification of what files have changed to a central server. Note that it doesn’t send the files. My PowerBook at home is running the FolderShare client and is continuall polling for changes. When the server responds that files have changed, my PowerBook at home initiates a transfer of files from my PowerBook at work. The files are not stored on a central server, but are distributed between all the clients instead. Therefore storage isn’t an issue for Microsoft, and transfer really isn’t either, because the files are being exchanged between my computers, using my own bandwidth.
Some other cool features of FolderShare is that you can use Spotlight or MSN Desktop Search to search files on any of your computers. It also allows you to share folders with other FolderShare users, and access your files remotely through the web interface. FolderShare authenticates via RSA and encrypted via 256 bit AES over SSL. FolderShare also has no problem working behind firewalls or through proxies.
I highly recommend FolderShare. It is free, so download a client and get syncing!
March 18th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
When I left Novell, I felt the same pain of no longer having iFolder. Interestingly enough though, I found an alternate solution as well. It’s called Unison [1]. It’s an open source project that runs on multiple platforms. So I can sync my settings and files from my Linux box with my windows machines.
There is one main architectural difference between FolderShare and Unison. Unison is mainly syncing to a central server and then distributing to all the nodes. I actually prefer this method because it works better on laptops and for when one machine isn’t connected to an internet connection. I also can get at my files (from the server) when I don’t have one of my machines accessible.
Just thought I would give you an alternate option. If you (Brian) are interested in it, let me know and I will give you more info and send you the Win32 installer that I created to install SSH and everything along with it.
[1] http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/
March 18th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
OH… forgot to mention that the new version of iFolder (3.0) is exactly like FolderShare. I guess the P2P thing is the latest cool thing in file syncronization.
March 30th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
How can iFolder be used in peer-to-peer fashion to, for example, sync a folder on the office workstation with a folder at home?
I downloaded iFolder 3.0 and it asks for a server when I do a ‘Convert to an iFolder’. FYI, both machines are windows.